Lexus Teases IS F CCS-R Race Car Even Though IS F Will Be Dropped
Fans of Lexus’ involvement in motorsport will love this race-ready IS F.
IMSA has played home for the most recent motorsport campaign from Lexus. Though the RC F is used there, the IS F has seen its share of high-speed action. You may remember a number of years ago when Lexus campaigned the IS F CCS-R racer in endurance racing and the infamous Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
Moderate success greeted the CCS-R, but it was the start of something much larger for Lexus. Power for the CCS-R came from Lexus’ revered 2UR-GSE, making 417 horsepower. If that seems a bit tame, the transmission is Lexus’ 8-speed direct-shift transmission, too. Actuation for that gearbox comes from paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. In fact, the CCS-R is really only a lightly modified IS F, minus the safety and other equipment needed for motorsport.
Notable motorsport additions include a quick-fill fuel cell nozzle located on the trunk. Directly above that is a wing for added downforce and stability at high speeds. Cooling of fluids is critical and this IS F is equipped for the job. Coolers for oil, transmission fluid, and differential fluid are all deployed. A full racing cage is in place along with racing seats and a 6-point harness ready for the next race driver.
Speed comes from less weight, and that’s where the IS F CCS-R impresses. Overall it sheds a whopping 693 lbs compared to the standard car. Removing unneeded components like interior trim helps tremendously. Replacing some trim and some body panels with carbon fiber components helps even more. It is a neat car, but if it makes you wonder about a new IS F, we have to change tone.
Sadly, we have news that the IS F will be phased out in the next generation IS, at least for Australia. Talking of a future IS F, Scott Thompson, Chief Executive of Lexus in Australia, said to Motoring Magazine, “there’s no plans at the moment.” That’s sad because the IS F was one of the few cars to take on the might of Germany’s small performance sedans.
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